Our Story

Made by Hand. Rooted in the Slate River Valley.

Welcome to MBB Pottery. I’m Karen, and for 20 years I’ve been making pottery. In 2005, I took a beginner pottery class with some friends, bought a second-hand wheel, and since then I’ve been transforming clay into pieces designed for your table, your hands, your shelf, and for everyday use.

The Clay Beneath Our Feet

About three years ago we discovered beautiful bluish-grey clay on our property. And since then every piece I make begins with our own Slate River Clay.

Dug less than 500 metres from my studio, this wild clay is transformed by hand into beautiful pottery and fired right here. When we first discovered the clay, I hoped it would be usable, but honestly, I thought the odds were against it. Through lots of testing, experimenting and plenty of trial and error, I’ve learned how to work with it and turn it into a collection of beautiful, functional pottery.

Slate River Clay has a character all its own. It fires to a rich, chocolatey red and takes glaze beautifully, creating a depth and warmth that gives every piece its own personality and that commercially bought clay simply can't replicate. Some pieces may have tiny stones or slightly irregular surfaces. These natural variations are part of the clay’s story and part of what makes each piece unique, without compromising its function.

Using clay from the land where my husband and I live and work, where our girls grew up and our grandchildren now play, has given my pottery an even deeper connection to home.

Handmade, Every Time

Each piece of MBB Pottery is handbuilt or thrown on the wheel, one at a time by me. 

Every mug, vase, tree, and ornament carries the subtle evidence of having been made by an artist, no two pieces are identical, even in a set. Some are a wee bit wonky. But all are perfectly handmade. 

 

My hope is that you find something here that feels less like a purchase and more like a find, a piece you’ll reach for every morning, display with pride, or give to someone truly special.

Thank you for being here and for supporting handmade work.

Karen

MBB Pottery